05/19/2024
Hello my Friends!! Wishing you all a VERY HAPPY SUNDAY!! ❤
Today I am Grateful for who I am. ❤
WARING: This is a long post ahead.
I usually do not post things of this nature, but I think it is an important lesson I wish to share within my community of dancers and entertainers.
For those who are learning and growing to become a professional entertainer of my caliber, and also for those whom I respect within our industry, so they can see what is happening here in this area.
I had an interesting conversation on Friday night with a client, followed by a lengthy conversation with my husband, and a few trusted friends, and my mind has been going back to it over and over again.
There is another performer/bellydancer in my area, she is a very beautiful woman, and she is a skilled dancer...however she has this attitude of superiority and entitlement, and she walks around with her nose in the air.
An absolute "Diva" though not in the female empowerment way. Hah!
I have had several regular clients of mine who have dealt with this woman, and they just do not like her, she is leaving a trail of irritated and dismayed clients AND potential clients in her wake.
She has lost gigs because of how she acts. (Diva)
It has made me think a lot about myself.
I was taught as a student dancer to be always professional, and on stage to carry myself as a queen, to be elegant and classy, and I am!
But I am also personable, kind, silly, and fun! I have no problem laughing at myself, or engaging with my audience in a fun way.
I treat my clients with respect, while also demanding respect for myself. Some of my clients have become true friends over many years of working together.
AND I respect the other professionals in my community. I do not take the loss of a gig to another dancer personally, because I know we are here to entertain and meet the needs of our clients, so if they do not like my style of dance, or my hair color, or body type, that is fine they can hire someone else.
I charge a fee I believe I am worthy of, and I will negotiate that fee for the right client. But if they are not willing to pay what I want, I walk away, because my dignity and time are worthy of my own respect. I'd rather stay home and relax with my family than perform for someone who does not respect my worth. For me it is Quality over Quantity.
This other dancer constantly posts on her social media about professionalism. She complains about other dancers trying to steal her gigs, and the venues she uses. She complained that another dancer was stalking HER page to see where she was performing, so they could poach on her territory. She posts complaints about other dancers undercutting her gigs, and also selling themselves cheaply which hurts our industry and makes it difficult for other dancers to charge appropriately. She just recently posted about how clients on a booking website have no idea what they should charge and are cheap, and how other dancers allow it to happen. She is constantly talking about how she rises above and other dancers should do so as well. AND within the bellydance community, everyone eats it up! They love her posts, and have these long conversations with her, and share her posts, and commend her for her professionalism....HAH! If they only knew. 😂
What an absolute hypocrite this woman is!
She obviously stalks my pages and knows where I am performing.
She actually took the time to drive out and talk with one of my regular clients (I have proof because my client told me).
She offered to dance for them at their restaurant, she told them flat out she would charge less than me, and offered an amount WAY below what she should be charging, and she spoke of me personally as if I am unworthy of the gig, and she is better.
My client turned her away, because he is happy with my service. ❤ Which I truly appreciate, and my heart is happy.
I have no issue with her offering to perform, IF she was charging properly, IF she was not talking bad about me, IF she had honestly found the potential gig location on her own. This is a free country! She can offer her services as an entertainer wherever she wishes to.
I am however really appalled at her lack of professionalism, her hypocrisy in light of all her posts and complaints on SM, and her obvious desperate attempts to just get a gig and her cheapening of our industry.
I am not afraid of competition. I know my worth. I dance where I am wanted and leave if I am not.
Here is MY take on this entire weird, yet somewhat satisfying experience.
To all my Professional Entertainer Friends/Fans/Competitors 😉
Rise above!
Know your Worth!
Stay Honest!
Be Professional, Kind, Approachable, and Strong.
Know your Values, and Maintain a High Standard.
Work hard to keep improving your quality of entertainment.
Respect your clients, and know their needs and wants.
Know your audience.
Be competitive AND respectful to others in your industry.
Work TOGETHER with others, it is very fulfilling and will actually get you more gigs. (I share overflow all the time with my friends in the industry.)
And last but not least...
Don't take yourself too seriously!!
Laughter and Joy are what make life worth living...even in the business world. ❤
Much Love, Safiya ❤
